DC Comics Is Officially Out of the Zack Snyder Business

One would have to look back to the Rann-Thanagar War to find a more complex tale than the Warner Bros. production of Justice League, the 2017 would-be cumulation of DC Comics characters on screen, meant to stand as a counterpart to Marvel’s Avengers.

After the original director, Zack Snyder, was replaced by Joss Whedon, a tumultuous behind-the-scenes situation led to what all can reasonably call a “lesser product.” An unprecedented fan movement led to the eventual HBO Max release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Along the way, there were accusations and corporate investigations, all of which continues to ricochet through the press. Nevertheless, fans, thinking they can catch lighting in a bottle a second time, still to rally on social media to “restore the Snyderverse.”

As much of this went down, the pandemic cancelled (or reduced) many comic book conventions. But with San Diego Comic-Con in full swing, DC’s current Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee got hit with a question from a fan about the topic. 

Since DC Comics exists in a multiverse (heck, they basically invented the multiverse!) the company often publishes a series that ties more directly to what’s happening with the characters on the big screen. When asked if there’s anything in the pipeline about characters set up in the “Snyder Cut,” Lee answered honestly, but diplomatically. 

First he talked about how great it was to see all the fans in person again, and said it with a smile that looked genuine. Then he had to break the news that he only works “on the projects that are in development. And so, I think the ‘Snyder Cut’ was Zack’s vision realized, and it was a really satisfying story told, but there’s no plans for additional work on that material.”

This seems to imply that Warner Bros. is disinterested in continuing with characters from the “Snyderverse,” despite continuing fan pressure for it to be “restored.” This doesn’t seem like a Doomsday killed Superman situation where you know he will be back, but more of a Bruce Wayne’s parents have been shot, and we’re going to have to face some hard truths now.

Lee, who began his career as an illustrator, spoke about how he was involved in a pitch for other material years ago, and was happy it was out there for fans to see, but that will likely be the end of it. 

In 2021, Snyder said Warner Bros. passed on his screenplay for a new 300 movie, and is currently working on projects with Netflix.